The Academy for Social Purpose in Responsible Entertainment (ASPIRE) partners with universities, community organizations, scholars, and activists to advocate for sustainability and social justice through media-focused teaching and research. ASPIRE teaches digital media production to undergraduates of all majors to enhance their lifelong capacities to undertake social issue advocacy.

Ted Hope

Producer, Double Hope Films. Editor, HopeForFilm.Com

Ted Hope is one of the most respected producers in independent film. A true expert in the field, a survey of his 65 plus films includes many highlights and breakthroughs in cinema, including Ang Lee’s The Ice Storm, Shari Springer Berman and Robert Pulcini’s American Splendor, Alejandro González Iñárritu’s 21 Grams, Todd Solondz’s Happiness, Tamara Jenkins’ The Savages, and Todd Field’s In the Bedroom, amongst many others. In 1990, Hope cofounded with James Schamus the influential production company Good Machine, which they sold to Universal in 2002. Known within the industry for having an extraordinary ability to recognize emerging talent, he has more than 20 first features to his credit, including those of Alan Ball, Todd Field, Michel Gondry, Hal Hartley, and Nicole Holofcener.

In September 2012, Hope left a lifetime in New York City to take leadership of the San Francisco Film Society as Executive Director, where in his tenure he laid the groundwork for the organization to establish innovative programs designed for the creation, appreciation and monetization of the art form. His entrepreneurial spirit beckoning him, Hope is now developing opportunities in the shifting business and creative paradigms of cinema.

As the creator, editor and regular contributor to HopeForFilm.com blog, Hope provides a must-read forum for discussion and engagement about the critical issues faced by filmmakers, artists, and the film industry. He is also an exciting and prolific voice on Twitter with over 30,000 followers, and has contributed to numerous publications, including The New York Times and Filmmaker Magazine. Hope is married to filmmaker Vanessa Hope, and has a 13 year old son.